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Plaid gamble pays off in Llanelli Plaid gamble pays off in Llanelli
(about 6 hours later)
Plaid Cymru's Helen Mary Jones has overturned a Labour majority of just 21 to win back the Llanelli assembly seat she lost four years ago.Plaid Cymru's Helen Mary Jones has overturned a Labour majority of just 21 to win back the Llanelli assembly seat she lost four years ago.
Ms Jones beat Labour opponent Catherine Thomas - the former AM - by 3,884 votes against a turnout of 49.39 per cent.Ms Jones beat Labour opponent Catherine Thomas - the former AM - by 3,884 votes against a turnout of 49.39 per cent.
Elsewhere in west Wales the Tories won both Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and Preseli Pembrokeshire previously held by Labour.
Labour did maintain its domination in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.
Ms Jones' last seat was via the regional list, but a rule change meant she had to gamble between standing for the constituency or the list in 2007.Ms Jones' last seat was via the regional list, but a rule change meant she had to gamble between standing for the constituency or the list in 2007.
The gamble paid off, with Labour saying its vote had "slipped away altogether".The gamble paid off, with Labour saying its vote had "slipped away altogether".
Ms Jones said she had never doubted her decision to fight the Llanelli seat but shortly after the declaration admitted her convincing win "had not really sunk in yet".Ms Jones said she had never doubted her decision to fight the Llanelli seat but shortly after the declaration admitted her convincing win "had not really sunk in yet".
"I'm obviously thrilled. It's amazing, amazing," said Ms Jones."I'm obviously thrilled. It's amazing, amazing," said Ms Jones.
Very proudVery proud
"Llanelli is my home community. I knew I had done the right thing when I made that choice, " she told BBC Wales."Llanelli is my home community. I knew I had done the right thing when I made that choice, " she told BBC Wales.
"Clearly I did not expect to have that decision validated to this extent - I'm very proud and quite humble"."Clearly I did not expect to have that decision validated to this extent - I'm very proud and quite humble".
She said she would fight for the health service which has been at the centre of local campaigning because of Labour's plans to reorganise hospitals, and for jobs.She said she would fight for the health service which has been at the centre of local campaigning because of Labour's plans to reorganise hospitals, and for jobs.
Plaid had run a strong campaign to win the most marginal seat, one of the five key seats it lost in 2003.Plaid had run a strong campaign to win the most marginal seat, one of the five key seats it lost in 2003.
Admitting defeat before the official result was declared, Labour's Llanelli MP Nia Griffiths said the Labour vote in the constituency had "slipped away altogether"Admitting defeat before the official result was declared, Labour's Llanelli MP Nia Griffiths said the Labour vote in the constituency had "slipped away altogether"
She said voters had "ganged up on what they see as the best option to get rid of Labour".She said voters had "ganged up on what they see as the best option to get rid of Labour".
Ms Jones has been an assembly member since its inception in 1999. In Preseli Pembrokeshire bank manager Paul Davies won the seat for the Conservative's ousting Labour's Tamsin Dunwoody.
She is the party's health spokeswoman and after the party's poor performance at the 2003 election was touted as a possible leader. "Absolutely delighted"
He polled 11,086 votes compared to Ms Dunwoody's 7,881 - a swing from Labour to the Conservatives of 8.6%.
"I'm absolutely delighted that the people of Preseli Pembrokeshire have given me the opportunity to represent them for the next four years," he said.
"Two years ago the people of Preseli Pembrokeshire rejected Tony Blair's Labour Party and voted for the Conservatives for strong representation at Westminster.
"Today they have rejected Rhodri Morgan's Labour Party to ensure they get strong representation in the Assembly."
The Tories also won a closely fought three-way fight in neighbouring Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.
Conservative Angela Burns took 8,590 votes compared to Labour's Christine Gwyther, who had been the sitting AM, with 8,492 and Plaid Cymru's John Dixon on 8,340.